India issues new guidelines for international travellers; RT-PCR negative report mandatory

The Government of India has issued fresh guidelines for international travellers. As per the latest travel advisory, RT-PCR negative report is mandatory for all international passengers arriving in India.

Not only this, all airlines have been asked to check negative COVID-19 test reports before allowing passengers from the UK to board. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will come into effect from October 25, 2021 till further notice.

The government in a statement said, “In view of increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed”.

The new guidelines will be followed for the passengers coming to India from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Nepal, Belarus, Lebanon, Armenia, Ukraine, Belgium, Hungary, and Serbia.

Besides, additional measures will be followed for passengers arriving in India from countries at-risk, which include the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

Here’s a list of things travellers should do before planning a trip to India:

1) Submit a self-declaration form and upload it on the online Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel.

2) Also upload a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report conducted within 72 hours before the journey.

3) Passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.

4) Download Aarogya Setu app on mobile devices.

5) Also, the airlines will let those travellers board who have filled in the Self Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal.

6) Only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.

Travellers arriving through sea/land ports will also have to follow the same protocol.